GUYANA is known for its natural beauty, which can be found in all regions of the country, but more manifestly in our interior locations. Our majestic Kaieteur Falls is unsurpassed in its natural beauty not to mention the several other places of attraction including our mountain ranges, our vast tropical forests interspersed with rolling savannahs and mighty rivers.

For too long, the coastland regions were taken for granted without much being done to enhance its natural beauty. In fact, there was a fair measure of environmental degradation and abuse with reckless dumping of garbage and other forms of discarded materials all along the coast. Georgetown, our capital city was no exception. The once garden city was reduced to a ‘garbage’ city.

This sad state of affairs did not go unnoticed by President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his wife, First Lady Arya Ali, both of whom have joined forces to restore the true image not only to the city of Georgetown but the entire coastal regions. The City of Georgetown was recently given a significant facelift thanks to the personal intervention of President Ali and First Lady Arya Ali, which was ably supported by other governmental agencies and the private sector. Enhancement works are currently underway at the Georgetown Seawall and at the Lamaha corridor stretching between Main and Camp Streets. The area will be developed into a safe space where Guyanese can enjoy family time. The area will also see the establishment of an Art Gallery and a Food Court.

That clean-up initiative of the President is now being replicated in several other regions and is currently underway in Region Six where two family-friendly recreational parks with enhanced safety zones for children and the elderly are being constructed, equipped with seating areas and green spaces. The President also participated in several cleanup activities which saw the participation of three Cabinet ministers, officials from the Regional Democratic Council, members of the Joint Services, private sector representatives and concerned citizens. Among the several cleanup activities were cutting of shrubs and grass, clearing of road shoulders and the clearing of clogged drainage systems.

According to President Ali, the exercise is necessary in the context of a renewed focus on the environment and the need to create a new environmental consciousness among the Guyanese people. Few can deny that the existing culture of seemingly  environmental indifference and abuse is in dire need of change and the President has indeed connected with a significant mass of Guyanese who are not only appreciative of the efforts but have shown a willingness to  come on board.

The President could not have said it better when he remarked: “This is a type of effort that really ignites the type of change you want to see… we want to enhance the beauty of our country and that beauty must come from the way we think, the way we act and the way we behave — the way we treat our environment.”

Over 50 trees were planted along the road on the eastern end of the Berbice Bridge which will enhance the entire landscape of that stretch of road leading to the Corentyne highway. The stretch will also benefit from lights which will illuminate that stretch of road. As noted by President Ali, “by tonight people will see an immediate impact and change in the general look of the area, the sense of safety and security and also the bridge will be helping in the maintenance of that investment”. These are all enrichment projects which will have a positive impact on the recreational and cultural life of the Guyanese people.

This is the kind of change and transformation that the Guyanese people have been looking forward to see, one that positively impact on their lives and well-being. In this regard, the President has been leading from the front and making that difference with the force and power of example. Guyanese can hardly expect more from a president who has demonstrated that the best and most effective way to lead is from the front. This is manifested in his handling of the flood situation, the COVID-19 pandemic, his hands-on approach in dealing with important matters of governance and the current national enhancement efforts.

These developments, apart from their aesthetics value, will also give a boost to the tourism sector which is now emerging as a significant player in the country’s transformative agenda. The sector earned a record $24 billion with 106, 428 visitors as of September last year, a 23 per cent overall increase compared to the previous year. And all of this despite the COVID-19 pandemic which has had a negative impact on the tourism sector not only in Guyana but in the wider Caribbean.

It is important that we project the best image of our country. One sure way of doing so is to keep our environment clean and tidy. President Ali has led the way in this regard and it is for all Guyanese to now play their part.